How does sugar affect your oral health

Everyone loves sweet candies, chocolate bars and mouth-watering delights but not many people are aware of the bad side of these tempting sweets. Let's understand how sugar affects your oral health.

When we consume sugary foods or drinks, some of the sugar is deposited on our teeth. This provides food for the bacteria that naturally exist in the oral cavity, promoting their growth and the formation of dental biofilm.

Dental biofilm can cause damage to the enamel over time, resulting in caries. The more sugar the oral bacteria consume, and the worse the oral hygiene, the more damaging the effects are not only on the teeth, but also on the gums.

What is the impact of sugar on teeth?

• Formation of dental biofilms

Sugar is easily degraded by bacteria in dental biofilm, promoting their growth and, as a result, their ability to affect the health of teeth and gums.

If dental biofilm is not removed properly through brushing and daily oral hygiene, minerals in the saliva will be deposited, forming plaque, a solid structure that can only be removed by dental hygiene at the dental clinic.

• Caries

Caries develops in the affected tooth as the acids produced by the bacteria in the dental biofilm destroy the enamel and internal tissues.

While the damage is initially mild, if left untreated, it can progress to deeper layers of the teeth, causing severe pain, infection, and even tooth loss.

• Gingivitis

Bacterial action not only affects the teeth, but it also affects the gums.

Gum inflammation, also known as gingivitis, is characterised by red, sore, and swollen gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing. It is possible to reverse the disease by removing the causative agent, in this case, dental biofilm.

What measures should be taken to avoid sugar intake?

It is not necessary to eliminate sugar from the diet to avoid the negative effects on teeth. One of the most prudent measures would be to limit free sugar consumption to a reasonable level and to implement the following recommendations:

1. Maintain a healthy and balanced diet.
2. Brush your teeth after each meal.
3. Use dental floss, interdental brushes, and mouthwash to supplement oral hygiene.
4. Avoid consuming too many sugary foods at once.

You should also see your dentist at Muskaan dentals twice a year to stay cavity-free. Connect with us to book an appointment for any queries.